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Your comments intrigue me. When I began my journey I looked at it this way:

What if I went in for a physical and my doctor said "BDM, I hate to tell you this but you have a form of XYZ Cancer. Over the next few years you will begin to suffer from: (insert your list here.) You will likely end-up dying several years prematurely and those last years here on Earth will be filled with pain and misery. I am very sorry."

I could feel my heart sink as I asked "is there any treatment, doc? Is there anything I can do to cure this XYZ cancer or at least prolong my life by a few years?"

Imagine the disbelief/relief/motivation one would feel if the doctor then said "BDM, you're going to have to go on a lifelong healthy diet; bring your weight to a healthy level and exercise daily. Do that and you should find complete relief from XYZ cancer."

Thinking of things in those terms has really lit a fire under my backside!! Remaining motivated has been made all the easier by observing other overweight people who struggle in their day to day lives and realizing that they are headed for a cliff.

I think professional help can play an important part. Even more important I think it's important for overweight people (and there seem to be an ever growing number of us!) to finally come to the realization that even with professional help and support, eating right and exercising will be a continuous fight that will require daily diligence -- but it IS a fight we can win!View Thread

How well did you all fare through the Holidays? I ate more than I had planned and a few of my fitness walks got rained out but I made it through very well.

One thing I have learned is that I need to be careful when I plan to indulge in a big meal. Indulging in a big meal is fine but I need to be careful not to continue to snack for the rest of the evening.

I also need to be more aware that planning to indulge in say Christmas dinner does not mean indulging in a calorie-laden breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks on Christmas!

One thing that both amazes and concerns me is the amount I can now eat without really feeling stuffed. I now eat a big meal and know from experience that it's time to stop. I'm certainly no longer hungry but I'm also not stuffed -- and I would have been in the past. Even 30-90 minutes later I don't feel stuffed so there has definitely been some sort of change in my body.

I'm also aware that my body is quick to retain extra water if I consume too much extra sodium. It took about a week to shed the excess water. This has always been true for me and I suffer no ill health from it but having a "puffy face" is something I now find embarrassing.

I've got the next size pants already layed-out. They button but just barely. It will be a couple of weeks before they fit correctly...

I'm just motoring right along, thanks for asking. No big changes really. Continuing to slowly lose and feeling better and better all the time.

Today is day #80 for my nutrition/exercise program and all is well. I missed my twice daily power walks on the last two Sundays due to weather and scheduling -- my first two misses in 80 days. After each miss I felt even stronger on the following day so maybe there was some positive to it.

I also snacked on both of those days which has become very unusual for me. The big difference is that my snacks are now sardines packed in water, bananas and apples and not pizza, Doritos and ice cream. Very slowly I'm learning it seems.

I have to go to a long scheduled dinner tonight (turkey cooked in the ground) where I expect to eat a non-diet portion. I will endeavor to stay away from the beer and wine and also the dessert. I'll report back how it goes.

Thursday is Thanksgiving. It's not a big deal this year thank goodness. I am going to make prime rib with the all-time easiest and finest process ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQ49SoteE0 It's almost a miracle. Everyone should try this recipe at least once.

Friday I have to go to a cocktail party where I plan to stick to club soda. Enjoy your turkey day!View Thread

I wanted to say something else about motivation. Before I began I wondered what I would do if I went in for a medical check-up and got some bad news. What if the doctor said in a very grave and serious manner: "I'm sorry to tell you this Matthew, but you have cancer. The quality of your remaining life will be greatly impacted by it and you will die many years before you actually should."

Just for a moment, imagine the shock. Then imagine asking "Is there anything I can do to reverse the cancer, doc?" and receiving the reply "Yes there is. If you begin exercising, eating healthy and maintaining a healthy body weight you can reverse this disease."

Most of us would really get on it. We would being to eat right, exercise and maintain healthy weights. I think about this hypothetical all the time when I am tired and in the midst of a walk or feel a hunger pang before bedtime.

Finally I distinctly recall a local priest offering prayers for those in need just before I began. Something along the lines of "...for those addicted to alcohol, tobacco, other drugs or with food addictions, we pray to the Lord..." I found that very sobering and believe that such prayers are a big part of my success so far.View Thread

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